1 B2 slang
To interfere with or tamper with something, especially when you should not.
"Don't fuck with the server settings unless you know exactly what you're doing."
inseparable
fuck with
B2 slang inseparable transitive
Vulgar slang meaning to interfere with something, provoke or challenge someone, or deliberately confuse or deceive someone.
In plain English
To bother or mess with something or someone, or to challenge someone in a dangerous way.
What does "fuck with" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic slang
To provoke, challenge, or threaten someone, especially someone who is dangerous or powerful.
"I wouldn't fuck with him if I were you — he's connected to some very dangerous people."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic slang
To deliberately confuse, deceive, or play psychological games with someone.
"Stop fucking with my head — just tell me the truth."
inseparable
Usage tip
Always requires an object. Has a range of senses from meddling with objects, to provoking a dangerous person, to deliberately deceiving or manipulating someone. The sense 'don't fuck with me' is a threat implying the speaker is dangerous. Common in American English.
Words that pair with "fuck with"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
don't never the settings the wrong person people's heads
How to conjugate "fuck with"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fuck with
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fucks with
he/she/it
Past simple
fucked with
yesterday
Past participle
fucked with
have + pp
-ing form
fucking with
continuous
Hear "fuck with" in the wild
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Other ways to say "fuck with"
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Keep exploring
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